PTI challenges 26th constitutional amendment in SC

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

In its plea, PTI has requested the court to halt the Judicial Commission from making any appointments under the amendment until a final decision is reached.

The party argued that the amendment should be declared void, and all actions taken under its provisions nullified.

Reference filed against LHC Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza

PTI’s petition maintains that the independence of the judiciary is a fundamental part of the Constitution, and no amendment can undermine it. The party claims the amendment violates the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

15 petitions have already been filed in the Supreme Court against the 26th Constitutional Amendment prior to the recent plea by PTI.

The SC’s Constitutional Bench, led by Justice Aminud din Khan, will hear several petitions challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment and calling for its annulment. The bench will include Justices Ayesha A. Malik, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, and Musarrat Hilali.

In this regard, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced special arrangements for the hearing of the 26th Constitutional Amendment case, set for January 27.

A statement from the SC mentioned that the hearing will take place in Court Room No. 2, with increased security measures to ensure the safety of all participants.

To manage the limited capacity of the courtroom, special passes will be provided to authorized individuals, including lawyers and journalists. “Only those with valid passes will be allowed entry,” the statement noted.

For those without passes, alternative arrangements, such as audio facilities in Court Rooms No. 6 and 7, have been made. Mobile phones will be strictly prohibited inside the courtroom.